In each new life chapter, there are things to argue about. Some of these things are even worth arguing about. Yet, none of them need to create a great divide in a marriage, possibly ending it for good. So many times, however, these common arguments tear partners apart...

Anxiety can feel like an overwhelming force—an ocean wave that rolls you over and over underneath the water. Unsurprisingly, many people feel helpless or as if nothing will help ease their anxiety. Yet walking and moderate exercise have proven to help alleviate the...

When two disorders impact your mental health at the same time, they’re called co-occurring conditions. With that said, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders are well known for afflicting people simultaneously. In fact, most people who struggle...

Although the emotional aftermath of trauma is unique to each person, similar symptoms do exist from one person to the next. In fact, it’s even possible to transfer trauma symptoms to the next generation. This phenomenon is a lot like passing the baton in a relay race....

Everyone compares themselves to others sometimes. Our brains naturally have a tendency to make comparisons. We are often preoccupied with ourselves. Therefore, our brains try to weigh our own traits against those of others. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing in and of...

Every person has a unique relationship with food. For some, the relationship is positive and healthy, using food for fuel and enjoyment. Others tend to struggle, allowing mealtimes to cause stress and anxiety. Additionally, there’s often an ebb and flow in the...

It’s only natural to avoid those things that could potentially cause you pain. Those with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may understand this notion more than most. For a simple example, think about the shoe-hungry dog a few blocks from your house. You’ll...

Most couples want to have a passion-filled sex life where adventure meets fulfillment. Unsurprisingly, it’s not uncommon for couples to fall short of this ultimate dream. In fact, you may be sabotaging your own sex life and not even know it. Sex can be complicated....

Changing your life in any way, large or small, requires a journey of self-understanding. However, when we start down the road of self-understanding, most of us take a slight detour to explore our self-concept and the “who am I” question rather than fully grasping what...

Both your thoughts and actions influence your response to stress and anxiety. With that said, developing helpful thought habits is a vital key to overcoming anxiety. After all, it’s the mind that tends to run away with itself, dragging you along behind it in a...

Loving or remaining loyal to a person who continuously hurts you may seem backward. Yet, this dynamic plays a large part in why many people stay with abusive partners. In fact, abusers depend on this kind of connection to keep you under their control. It’s called a...

We all have to-do lists. Where do our relationships land on such lists? Sure, most folks would get indignant at this question. But, realistically speaking, this isn’t about image or wishful thinking. It’s about real life. In reality, we often take our relationships...

The end of a year, and subsequently the beginning of a new one, can feel a lot like a cumulative test of your emotions. All the experiences and information that you absorbed over the past twelve months has a way of rushing back to your memory. Often, this collective...

Some degree of worry or anxiety is normal. It’s what keeps us safe, activating the fight-or-flight part of our nervous systems to protect us. Yet anxiety has a stealthy way of sneaking into our daily lives, even when there seems to be no immediate threat. Wreaking...

Eating disorders are uniquely complex, creating inner turmoil that manifests externally. Joyful and exhilarating emotions typically surround the holiday season. Yet, it often becomes an incredibly difficult time for those struggling with an eating disorder. For this...

Trauma impacts so much of society that the statistics are astounding. Yet, numbers mean absolutely nothing when you’re the one dealing with trauma. Feeling weighed down and unable to “keep doing this,” you may begin to wonder if you’ll ever return to normal. The...

With comparisons running rampant and expectations through the roof, the holidays can be a difficult time for all. But especially if you feel emotionally cut off from society or loved ones. After all, lonely people aren’t always alone. Rather, loneliness is a...

We each have our own ideas about relationship expectations. From attachment styles formed in childhood to media influence to former relationships, we create our own standards. Keep in mind that relationship expectations aren’t problematic in and of themselves. Rather,...

No hard and fast rule exists stating you must enjoy the holiday season 150 percent. Yet, that’s the message society, the media, many co-workers, and/or extended family members may be sending you. The issue just may be that you don’t enjoy the holidays. For one reason...

Multitasking is an illusion. Most of us claim to be excellent multitaskers. Yet, what we’re really doing is completing two individual actions in speedy succession. Really, not even three percent of the population can effectively do two things at once. “Effectively” is...